Bull spotted loose on streets of Birmingham

A bull has been seen on the loose on the streets of Birmingham.

West Midlands Police said officers were made aware of it in the road near New Bond Street, in the Digbeth area, at about 09:30 BST on Friday.

The force added that it was working with Birmingham City Council to ensure the animal was taken to a safe location.

It is so far unclear where the bull came from, but the local authority said it was trying to identify the owner.

A video shared on a Birmingham Facebook group, shows the animal running in the road and on to a path, with a police officer near by.

Posting online, people called for the bull to be rescued and protected.

The council said that its street cleansing crew had come across the bull and helped get it inside the old Dunelm site, where animal welfare officers were waiting.

“This magnificent animal seemed to be enjoying an unexpected city break,” Councillor Majid Mahmood, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport said.

“Well done too to our animal welfare staff and park rangers who are ensuring it is safe and well and the public are safe.”

Birmingham has been associated with bulls ever since the practice of bull-baiting arose in the 16th Century, with Ozzy the bull a mascot at the city’s 2022 Commonwealth Games and the bullring shopping centre an iconic landmark.